june at townend...
Step back in time into a typical, traditional lakeland farmhouse at Townend in the Troutbeck valley. Stone-built, slate roofed, solid oak panelled home to the Browne family of yeoman farmers, here for over 400 years. Little has changed in the house since they left, and their way of living is now preserved and cherished for all to enjoy by the National Trust.
Lying within a living landscape of dry stone walls leading away up the sheep grazed fellside, it is cocooned in time and space by its delightful period cottage garden.
Through rustic gate and under rose covered arbor, the sundial centred flower garden is overlooked by the ancient barn buildings. Here, old-fashioned violas, foxgloves, cranesbills, poppies and peonies fill the slate edged beds and spill exuberantly out over the gravel paths.
The small kitchen garden houses old favorites such as scarlet runners twisting their way up hazel-pole wigwams with beans and lettuce at their foot. A beautiful and productive plot set alongside a great wooden barrel of a water butt.
Follow the winding path back up the stone steps, beneath the welcoming shade of old trees. The steep banking here is home to swathes of wildflowers amongst the meadow grass and wild roses.
Discover for yourself one of Cumbria's most fascinating houses and most charming of gardens... Townend.
